Our Primary Aim is to Revive Traditional Handicrafts of Cyprus and Prevent Them from Fading into Oblivion
The Folk Arts Institute Director Hasan Çağlıoğlu stated that the institute stands out as a non-profit civil society organization which has succeeded to be economically self-sufficient since 2000. He also pointed out that the institute is known as an organization that has reintroduced traditional handcrafting both to the economy and the society; a craft that is in high demand on the island. Currently, the institute has 8 employees and 17 contractors – all housewives from rural areas – and a steering committee made up of volunteers. “Everyone here is working hard to keep the handicraft tradition alive so as to be able to pass it on to the next generation” said Çağlıoğlu. He also stated that to this end, they have provided vocational training courses for wood carving, wood weathering and painting, traditional hand weaving, wicker basket weaving, silkworm cocoon decorative panel making and lace-embroidery techniques to approximately 500 people in the last three years. Çağlıoğlu added that HASDER will continue to work relentlessly to preserve and revive traditional handicrafts of Cyprus and that their doors are wide open for everyone who wants to join them in this endeavour.